Programme - Tuesday, 15th May 2007

As economists have focused on the growing role of the patent system, there has been an outpouring of new research. What does the evidence reveal about patents as assets – and about the costs and risks associated with patents? What are the implications for patent policy?

13.40 - The Communication from the Commission: questions and answers (60 minutes)

Dr Jens Gaster and David Ellard of the European Commission, DG Internal Market, discusses "Enhancing the patent system in Europe" and answers questions from the audience. (Slides)

14.30 - Quality

There is growing concern that low-quality patents can burden the system and ultimately impose a tax on real innovation. But quality has several dimensions and is difficult to measure directly. How can quality be monitored and managed? Most importantly, what can be done to improve it – and reduce conflict over patents?

Programme - Wednesday, 16th May 2007

8.30 - Coffee & croissants

9.00 - Diversity in Innovation

Evidence that patents are used and viewed differently in different technology and business contexts has been affirmed by industry differences on patent reform in the U.S. and patentable subject matter in Europe. The complexity of information technology and software in particular lead to practices that are unfamiliar in traditional areas. If innovation is to be optimized in all fields, how should intellectual property systems adapt?

Political demand for an integrated system and cheaper patents has led to proposals for a community patent and specialized patent courts. But these debates point to a larger question: How do national systems and the EPO fit within a framework of European innovation policy?